10 FACTS ABOUT RUBIN KAZAN

22 October 2013

Nick Taylor

Our third and final installment of 10 facts as we get to know our Russian opponents ahead of match day three.

1. Rubin are based in the city of Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, a federal subject of Russia. The club are proud of their Tatarstan heritage, stating on their website: “We want our club to be an ambassador of the culture, history and spirit of our people.”

2. This is the club’s 10th season in the Russian Premier League, following promotion in 2003 and they have already won two league titles in 2008 and 2009.

3. The 2013/14 campaign also marks their fifth consecutive entry into the Europa League, a competition which they have consistently been involved in beyond the group stages.

4. So far this season Rubin are the competitions leading group stage goal scorers with nine goals, after beating NK Maribor 5-2 on match day one and Zulte Waregem 4-0 on match day two. They entered the competition in the second qualifying round and since then have scored 22 goals in eight games.

5. Latics will be Rubin’s third English opponent in the Europa League, having played Tottenham Hotspur twice in the group stage in 2011/12 and Chelsea in the quarter finals last season. Their record against English teams is two victories and two defeats.

6. As of this month Rubin are 24th in the UEFA Club Rankings, the second highest Russian side and only two places behind Zenit St Petersburg in 22nd. They are ahead of English clubs such as Manchester City and Liverpool.

7. Due to the vast size of Russia and the location of teams in the Russian Premier League, it is no wonder that Rubin have to travel long distances over a season. The Russian Cup has thrown up their longest journey though, and six days after our Europa League tie, Rubin will make over a 10,000 mile round journey to play Luch Vladivostok on the eastern border of Russia and China.

8. Manager Kurban Berdyev has been in charge at the club since 2001, gaining promotion to and winning the Russian Premier League. He made over 400 appearances in his own playing career and even managed his home nation Turkmenistan in 1999.

9. Captain and Turkish international Gokdeniz Karadeniz scored the winning goal in Rubin’s famous 2-1 victory against Barcelona at the Nou Camp in 2009. He has been with the club since 2008 and has played over 150 games.

10. Rubin’s top goal scorer in UEFA club competitions is Venezuelan forward Jose Salomon Rondon with 10 goals, however his chances of adding to that tally have been cut after suffering a broken metatarsal in a league game against FC Tomsk in mid-September.

Tickets for the Europa League game against Rubin Kazan on Thursday 24 October will be on sale to supporters up until kick off of the game, at just £15 adults and £5 for concessions. Season Ticket holders can use their season cards for entry as part of their package. For more information on tickets [click here].